08 Aug 2016

Former president Sir Ketumile Masire is one of the pioneering national figures that contributed ideas to the University of Botswana (UB) from its formative years in the decade after independence, to being the modern institution it is today. 

These sentiments were expressed by the vice chancellor of the University of Botswana, Professor Thabo Fako. 

Speaking at a birthday luncheon hosted by the institution in honour of its chancellor Sir Ketumile, Prof Fako lauded the former president for having always been supportive. 

“Sir Ketumile was always there, from the days UB became a separate institution that evolved from the University of Botswana and Swaziland (UBS), and before that the University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland (UBLS). 

He is one of the national leaders who worked hard for UB during its early years, and has continued to be a pillar of support,” Prof Fako said. 

He said that they had decided to have an annual birthday celebration for Sir Ketumile, who turned 91 on July 23, as a way of thanking the elder statesman, as the university’s leader. 

“Last year, we celebrated the president’s 90th birthday, and we have continued to commemorate his special day, as a token of appreciation for our chancellor. We decided to have this occasion a couple of weeks after the actual birthday to allow Sir Ketumile the chance to spend his day with close family,” Prof Fako said. 

Expressing his gratitude, Sir Ketumile said that he was happy that UB had taken the time to appreciate him. 

“I thank UB for remembering the occasion of my birthday. 

Growing up in the village of Kanye, there was no birthday culture, and it was much later in my life, when I was turning 80 years that my children organised a birthday party for me,” he said. 

He further congratulated UB management, staff and students for what he considers the institution’s smooth running. 

Sir Ketumile said that UB continues to be a good institution of higher learning, and there is better harmony between the different stakeholders, as evidenced by fewer student strikes in recent times. 

Sir Ketumile urged UB to work with others in Botswana society, and contribute to the promotion of indigenous history and culture as well as peace, which he called “the most valuable commodity in society.” 

“We have some of the most educated members of society at this institution, and they need to play an effective educative role, not just within the university’s lecture halls, but even within broader society,” he said. 

Sir Ketumile paid tribute to invited guest, former cabinet minister, Dr Gaositwe Chiepe, whom she said had played a critical role in the country’s early development, particularly in the education and diplomatic sectors. 

UB Statistics lecturer in the Faculty of Social Sciences Prof Njoku Ama echoed Prof Fako’s sentiments that Sir Ketumile had helped create an enabling environment for the university to continue thriving as an institution of learning. Ends